When it comes to education, Alabama is trailing much of the nation. A new WalletHub survey ranks the state 43rd out of 50 for overall educational performance, highlighting persistent challenges in both college attainment and school quality.
Here are the
states that rank in the bottom 10 of WalletHub’s survey.
Ms. Almanza is the executive director of Partners for Justice, a nonprofit organization that seeks to transform public defense.
Free
buses? Really? Of all the promises that Zohran Mamdani made during his
New York City mayoral campaign, that one struck some skeptics as the
most frivolous leftist fantasy. Unlike housing, groceries and child
care, which weigh heavily on New Yorkers’ finances, a bus ride is just a
few bucks. Is it really worth the huge effort to spare people that tiny
outlay?
It is. Far beyond just saving riders money, free buses deliver a cascade of benefits, from easing traffic to promoting public safety. Just look at Boston; Chapel Hill, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; Kansas City, Mo.; and even New York itself, all of which have tried it to excellent effect. And it doesn’t have to be costly — in fact, it can come out just about even.
As
a lawyer, I feel most strongly about the least-discussed benefit:
Eliminating bus fares can clear junk cases out of our court system,
lowering the crushing caseloads that prevent our judges, prosecutors and
public defenders from focusing their attention where it’s most needed.
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I
was a public defender, and in one of my first cases I was asked to
represent a woman who was not a robber or a drug dealer — she was
someone who had failed to pay the fare on public transit. Precious
resources had been spent arresting, processing, prosecuting and trying
her, all for the loss of a few dollars. This is a daily feature of how
we criminalize poverty in America.
Unless
a person has spent real time in the bowels of a courthouse, it’s hard
to imagine how many of the matters clogging criminal courts across the
country originate from a lack of transit. Some of those cases result in
fines; many result in defendants being ordered to attend community
service or further court dates. But if people can’t afford the fare to
get to those appointments and can’t get a ride, their only options —
jump a turnstile or flout a judge’s order — expose them to re-arrest.
Then they may face jail time, which adds significant pressure to our
already overcrowded facilities. Is this really what we want the courts
spending time on?
Free buses can
unclog our streets, too. In Boston, eliminating the need for riders to
pay fares or punch tickets cut boarding time by as much as 23 percent, which made everyone’s trip faster. Better, cheaper, faster bus rides give automobile owners an incentive
to leave their cars at home, which makes the journey faster still — for
those onboard as well as those who still prefer to drive.
How
much should a government be willing to pay to achieve those outcomes?
How about nothing? When Washington State’s public transit systems
stopped charging riders, in many municipalities the state came out more
or less even — because the money lost on fares was balanced out by the enormous savings that ensued.
Fare evasion was one of the factors that prompted Mayor Eric Adams to flood New York City public transit with police officers. New Yorkers went from shelling out $4 million for overtime in 2022 to $155 million in 2024.
What did it get them? In September 2024, officers drew their guns to
shoot a fare beater who was wielding a knife and two innocent bystanders
ended up with bullet wounds, the kind of accident that’s all but inevitable in such a crowded setting.
New
York City tried a free bus pilot program in 2023 and 2024 and, as
predicted, ridership increased — by 30 percent on weekdays and 38
percent on weekends, striking figures that could make a meaningful dent
in New York’s chronic traffic problem (and, by extension, air and noise
pollution). Something else happened that was surprising: Assaults on bus
operators dropped 39 percent.
Call it the opposite of the Adams strategy: Lowering barriers to access
made for fewer tense law enforcement encounters, fewer acts of
desperation and a safer city overall.
If
free buses strike you as wasteful, you’re not alone. Plenty of the
beneficiaries would be people who can afford to pay. Does it make sense
to give them a freebie? Yes, if it improves the life of the city, just
as free parks, libraries and public schools do. Don’t think of it as a
giveaway to the undeserving. Think of it as a gift to all New Yorkers in
every community. We deserve it.
Emily
Galvin Almanza is a founder and the executive director of Partners for
Justice, a nonprofit organization that seeks to transform public
defense. She is the author of “The Price of Mercy: Unfair Trials, a
Violent System, and a Public Defender’s Search for Justice in America.”
The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here’s our email: letters@nytimes.com.
An
earlier version of this article referred imprecisely to the cause of a
police shooting in September 2024. While the encounter began over an
unpaid subway fare, officers drew their weapons after the passenger took
out a knife.
President Donald Trump admitted he feels “terrible” about the shooting
deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, but said he’s was more upset about
Good because her parents are “tremendous Trump people.”
"In December alone, Donald Trump has lent his name to a new
class of warship that the United States will build in the coming years,
to the U.S. Institute of Peace, and to Washington’s grand performing
arts and music center, the renowned Kennedy Center. As of last week, it
is officially called The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy
Memorial Center.
Even before that, the president promised to erect a triumphal arch on the National Mall, and began demolishing the East Wing
to make way for a new ballroom whose gigantic dimensions will dwarf
those of the White House. When it’s finished, it will be called — you
guessed it — The Donald J. Trump Ballroom.
There’s
also Trump Rx, a website where the government aims to offer
prescription drugs at discount prices; the Trump Accounts, an investment
account for children that is paid out to the recipient upon turning 18;
and the Trump Gold and Platinum Cards. These offer a shortcut for
individuals and companies in a hurry to obtain U.S. residency and can afford to spend amounts starting at one million dollars, described as donations to the Department of Commerce."
"...a Trump Penn Station, in the heart of Manhattan, would rub his nname
in the faces of all those snooty New Yorkers who continue to deny him
the respect he has craved for his entire adult life. No matter how rich
or successful he becomes, Mr. Trump, a Queens native, remains an outer
boroughs boy stewing over the contempt of his hometown’s cultural elite."
(*I too am a Queens native...another "outer Borough boy."......his home, a mansion by comparisor, was a dozen blocks or so from the modest house where I grew up, on 214th Street in Queens Village.
"A key constituency that propelled Donald Trump to the presidency is abandoning him, according to CNN’s data chief.
Trump
gained a second term in part due to support among voters without a
college degree; the president bested Democratic presidential candidate
Kamala Harris by 14 points among that group, according to CNN’s exit
polling in 2024, said the network’s Harry Enten.
"What was once a huge strength for Donald Trump has quickly become a losing issue for the president, according to a new poll.
Trump won the 2024 election in part due to his perceived strength on immigration and border security issues.
But now, six in 10 respondents in an NBC News Decision Desk/Survey Monkey poll released Wednesday say they somewhat or strongly disapproved of Trump’s handling of those issues.
That
60% figure includes 49% who strongly disapprove of Trump’s handling of
immigration and border security -- 1 10% spike from last summer and 34%
who said so in April, according to the poll.
Strong disapproval of independents is up 11% from August, the poll found."
Measles is one of the most
contagious diseases and can be dangerous in babies and young children.
The best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine.
As a child, I loved reading the "Hardy Boys" detective novels. My best friend at the time, Steve, and I loved this book, based on the characters. We used it in our amateur efforts to detect crimes!!!
"The Hardy Boys: A Legacy of Adventure"
The Hardy Boys series features two brothers, Frank and Joe
Hardy, who solve mysteries. These books have been loved by generations
of young readers. The first sixteen Hardy Boys books are believed
to have been written by a Canadian author named Charles Leslie
McFarlane. However, he followed detailed plans for each story. These
plans, called outlines, described the plot and characters.
The original ideas for these outlines came from Edward Stratemeyer, who founded the Stratemeyer Syndicate. Later, his daughters, Edna C. Squier and Harriet Adams,
continued to create the outlines. Edna and Harriet also carefully
edited all the books in the series until the mid-1960s. Many other
writers contributed to these early books, including Amy McFarlane, John
Button, and Andrew E. Svenson.
Harriet Adams and Andrew E. Svenson were key in developing most of the
story outlines. Starting in the late 1950s, more writers and editors
joined the team. They helped update the stories to keep them fresh and
exciting for new readers.
"In 1849, Edgar Allan Poe wrote "A Dream Within a Dream,"
a poem in which he may have reflected on the last days of his life. The
author died that same year in Baltimore, Maryland, on Oct. 7 at age 40.
"All that we see or seem Is but a dream within a dream," Poe wrote.
This
poem — which has themes of mortality, and of time or life slipping away
like "grains of golden sand" through his fingers — is the topic of a
free discussion happening Feb. 10, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at downtown's The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 Court St., Montgomery." (Source: Advertiser story HERE.
Feb 8, 2026
From The Montgomery Advertiser:
"For viewers skipping the Super Bowl halftime show
tonight, Turning Point USA is offering a different halftime experience
for those looking for an alternate option.
Turning Point USA, a conservative organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, announced the lineup for its “All-American Halftime show” on Feb. 2.
Conservative commentators and President Donald Trump
criticized the selection, calling it divisive and questioning his
popularity, even though Bad Bunny was Spotify’s most-streamed artist
globally in 2025.
Turning Point USA said the
show is intended as a “family-friendly, patriotic alternative” for
viewers who prefer a different halftime experience."
Jan 31, 2026
The
wheelchair that Gov. George Wallace used for the rest of his life after
he was shot in Maryland. It is part of the collections at The Alabama
Department of Archives and History here in Montgomery.
The north Alabama counties in the winter storm watch are Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Marshall, Jackson, DeKalb and Cullman.
The
National Weather Service in Huntsville said “moderate to heavy
accumulations of snow, sleet, or ice are expected Friday night through
Saturday night. Snow and sleet accumulations of at least 2 to 3 inches.
Ice accumulations above one quarter of an inch. Locally higher amounts
possible.”
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BIRTHDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 19
Martin Luther King Jr.
Day each year falls on the third Monday in January, creating the first
three-day weekend of 2026. The day honors the life of the slain civil
rights leader and is the second federal holiday of the year.
Whether
you plan to stay home or enjoy a weekend away, Americans need to know
what is open and closed for the upcoming holiday weekend. Here's more on
closures so you can plan ahead:
When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2026?
This year, the holiday is observed on Monday, Jan. 19.
Most
federal workers and private sector workers are entitled to paid holiday
time off. Public schools are also closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day,
however there are some exceptions with private schools.
Is the stock market closed on MLK Day?
The New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq and bond markets will all be closed on Jan. 19. Those markets are typically open Monday through Friday, aside from select holidays.
Are banks open on MLK Day?
Banks generally close on the same days as the Federal Reserve,
which follows the federal holiday schedule above in 2026. Online bank
transactions also aren't typically processed on federal holidays.
However, ATMs are often available for those who need to deposit or withdraw money on federal holidays.
Is mail delivered on MLK Day? Is the Post Office open?
The United States Post Office is also closed on all federal holidays in 2026 and does not deliver regular mail on those days.
The
Post Office does still deliver items sent through Priority Mail Express
on federal holidays, however. And customers can still "order stamps,
print shipping labels, order boxes and other mail supplies, and request
package pickups" on USPS.com during federal holidays, according to AARP.
Will FedEx and UPS have deliveries and pickups on MLK Day?
FedEx will operate on a modified schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, according to its website.
Public libraries will be closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) branches across the Empire State are also closed for the federal holiday.
City of Montgomery sanitation schedule" Monday & Thursday routes worked Tuesday (1/20/2026) only. Tuesday & Friday routes worked Wednesday (1/21/2026) only. Curbside trash is not scheduled.
WWW.MONTGOMERYAL.GOV As of October 17, 2025 2025 SANITATION HOLIDAY SCHEDULE NEW YEAR'S DAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1 - WORKING No scheduled route changes. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BIRTHDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 20 - CLOSED Monday & Thursday routes worked Tuesday & Thursday. Tuesday & Friday routes worked Wednesday & Friday. Curbside trash is not scheduled. PRESIDENTS' DAY - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17 - WORKING No scheduled route changes. CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY - MONDAY, APRIL 28 - WORKING No scheduled route changes. MEMORIAL DAY- MONDAY, MAY 26 - CLOSED Monday & Thursday routes worked Tuesday & Thursday. Tuesday & Friday routes worked Wednesday & Friday. Curbside trash is not scheduled. JEFFERSON DAVIS' BIRTHDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 2 - WORKING No scheduled route changes. JUNETEENTH - THURSDAY, JUNE 19 - CLOSED Monday & Thursday routes worked Monday & Wednesday. Tuesday & Friday routes no change. Curbside trash is not scheduled. FOURTH OF JULY - FRIDAY, JULY 4 - CLOSED Monday & Thursday routes worked Monday (3/30/2025) only. Tuesday & Friday routes worked Tuesday (4/1/2025) only. Curbside trash is not scheduled. LABOR DAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 - CLOSED Monday & Thursday routes worked Tuesday & Thursday. Tuesday & Friday routes worked Wednesday & Friday. Curbside trash is not scheduled. COLUMBUS DAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 13 - WORKING No scheduled route changes. VETERANS' DAY - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 - WORKING No scheduled route changes. THANKSGIVING DAY - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27 AND FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28 - CLOSED Monday & Thursday routes worked Monday (11/24/2025) only. Tuesday & Friday routes worked Tuesday (11/25/2025) only. Curbside trash is not scheduled. CHRISTMAS DAY - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25 AND DECEMBER 26 - CLOSED Monday & Thursday routes worked Monday (12/22/2025) only. Tuesday & Friday routes worked Tuesday (12/23/2025) only. Curbside trash is not scheduled.
Jennifer Lindahl
